Checks of grain carriers in the Black Sea resumed

Inspections of ships involved in an agreement on the export of Ukrainian grains through the Black Sea resumed on Tuesday after a two-day break and while the parties are studying the continuity of the protocol, the UN said.

According to an agreement between Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the UN, all vessels participating in this initiative must be inspected both on their way to Ukrainian ports and on their way out by specialists from the four parties, in a process that takes place in Turkish waters.

Russia and Ukraine remain at odds over the agreement, and the pace of inspections has slowed significantly lately, until a total blockade was imposed on Sunday and Monday.

UN spokesman Farhan Haq told a press conference that activities had resumed on Tuesday after inspecting two ships in the Black Sea.

According to Farhan Haq, currently 26 ships with grain and other foodstuffs are waiting in Turkish waters to continue their journey, and according to Ukrainian authorities, another 62 are waiting for permission to enter the country’s ports.

The spokesman added that the UN is working with all parties to try to facilitate movements and checks based on agreed procedures, while negotiations on the future of the pact continue in parallel.

On Tuesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced a high-level meeting “in a four-way format” on Wednesday and Thursday in Istanbul to discuss the continuity of the agreement.

Moscow has criticized the lack of progress in Russian agricultural exports, part of an agreement the UN has promised to try to promote.

Russia says its exports are struggling, largely because of the side effects of the sanctions the West imposed on it after the invasion of Ukraine.

The agreement expires on May 18, and Russia has threatened not to renew it if its demands are not met.

According to the UN, grain and food exports under the so-called Black Sea Agreement are already approaching 30 million tons since it came into force last August.